Australian Independent Record Labels Association
Encyclopedia
The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (previously known as Association of Independent Record Labels and often known as AIR) is a non profit, non government association dedicated to supporting the growth and development of Australia’s independent recording sector. AIR represents Australian owned record labels and independent artists based in Australia.
, and received its first operation funding grant from The Australia Council
for the Arts in 1998.
Additional Australia Council
funding was received in 2000, and in this same year, members also voted to change AIR’s legal status from Incorporated Association to Company Limited by Guarantee.
AIR moved its base from Sydney, New South Wales to Brisbane, Queensland in 2004 when Stuart Watters (formerly of Q Music, Queensland's state music council) took over as its Chief Executive Officer.
In 2007 AIR moved its operations from Brisbane to Melbourne, Victoria where it is now based in the Rubber Records and Media Arts Lawyers building in North Melbourne.
, Tall Poppies Records
, Elefant Traks
, Obese Records
, Unda K9 Records
, Origin Records, Plus One Records, Remote Control Records
Pty Ltd, One Stop Entertainment, MGM Distribution
, Stomp, Aztec Music, BNM Records, Boomtown Records
, Levity, Amphead Music, Ivy League Records
, Jazzgroove Records, room40, Vitamin Records, Future Classic, Shogun Distribution and Birdland Records.
which track the sales of Australia's highest selling independent artists. The top 20 independent singles and albums are published on a weekly basis but genre charts for Jazz, Hip Hop, Blues and Roots, Hard Rock/Punk, Country are published once a month. The AIR Charts differ from the ARIA Charts
because they focus on Australian artists represented only by Australian independent labels.
Titles are eligible to be included in the AIR Charts
if they are Australian, the title is released on an independent label / or, self released and where it is either distributed through an independent distributor or where an independent label uses the services of a major or its subsidiary to distribute the title.
The selection of the 10 finalists for each category is based upon a total score calculated across all 20 AIR independent chart positions over that year. The winner is voted for by a judging panel consisting of approximately 350 members of the retail and media sectors of the Australian independent music industry.
The AIR Awards recognise Australian 100% Independent artists (100% Independent in this context refers to releases whose masters are owned independently of major labels and are also distributed independently by an Australian owned distributor).
(Canada), AIM
(UK), AIRCO (South Africa), Audiocoop (Italy), BIMA (Belgium), CIRPA (Canada), DUP (Denmark), ILCJ (Japan), IMI (India), IMNZ (New Zealand), Impala (Europe), INZIMA (Israel), Pronafon (Mexico), SOM (Sweden), UFI (Spain), UPFI (France), VTMOE (Austria) and VUT (Germany).
On 4 July 2008 AIR took part in WIN's Independents Day initiative, the first annual coordinated celebration of independent music across the world. As a major part of these celebrations AIR conducted an online poll for Australia's greatest independent records of all time.
History
AIR was started by a group of Sydney and Melbourne music industry professionals and labels, who began meeting regularly to formulate ideas on how to start an industry association that would assist the on-going development of Australia’s independent record industry. The Association was incorporated in 1996 thanks to a small donation from Phantom RecordsPhantom Records
Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings (founder of Mambo (Clothing) and...
, and received its first operation funding grant from The Australia Council
Australia Council
The Australia Council, informally known as the Australia Council for the Arts, is the official arts council or arts funding body of the Government of Australia.-Function:...
for the Arts in 1998.
Additional Australia Council
Australia Council
The Australia Council, informally known as the Australia Council for the Arts, is the official arts council or arts funding body of the Government of Australia.-Function:...
funding was received in 2000, and in this same year, members also voted to change AIR’s legal status from Incorporated Association to Company Limited by Guarantee.
AIR moved its base from Sydney, New South Wales to Brisbane, Queensland in 2004 when Stuart Watters (formerly of Q Music, Queensland's state music council) took over as its Chief Executive Officer.
In 2007 AIR moved its operations from Brisbane to Melbourne, Victoria where it is now based in the Rubber Records and Media Arts Lawyers building in North Melbourne.
Members
AIR began as a small association with 25 members to a company with over 150 financial members across all sectors of the Australian music industry. AIR's membership of significant Australian Independent Record Labels includes but is not limited to Head Records, Shock RecordsShock Records
Shock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
, Tall Poppies Records
Tall Poppies Records
Tall Poppies Records is an Australian record label founded in September 1991 to present Australian music and musicians by musician and recording producer Belinda Webster. It records art music, both classical or jazz, and focuses on Australian music...
, Elefant Traks
Elefant Traks
Elefant Traks is an Australian hip hop record label based in Sydney, Australia. Elefant Traks are distributed nationally through Inertia Distribution.-History:...
, Obese Records
Obese Records
Obese Records is an Australian hip hop record label. It is the largest Australian independent Hip-Hop label, a retail store and a touring and record distribution company.-History:...
, Unda K9 Records
Unda K9 Records
Unda K9 Records is an independent Australian record label that represents a number of hip-hop acts including Bukkcity, Tycotic, 13th Son, Syntax , DirtBox Kings, Herb and DJ Crusador.-History:...
, Origin Records, Plus One Records, Remote Control Records
Remote Control Records
Remote Control Records was established by Harvey Saward and Steve Cross in early 2001, with the intention of supporting under-represented music...
Pty Ltd, One Stop Entertainment, MGM Distribution
MGM Distribution
MGM Distribution is the largest independent distributor of Australian music and music related merchandise and was established in April 1998 by Sebastian Chase....
, Stomp, Aztec Music, BNM Records, Boomtown Records
Boomtown Records
Boomtown Records is an independent record label founded by Jaddan Comerford in October 2002 and based in Melbourne, Australia. In 2011 the label was rebranded with Staple Management to new company - We Are Unified- History :...
, Levity, Amphead Music, Ivy League Records
Ivy League Records
For other uses of the term Ivy League see Ivy League Ivy League Records is a record label based in Sydney, Australia.Associated with the music management company Winterman & Goldstein and Ivy League Music publishing, Ivy League is the creation of Cameron Emerson-Elliot , Peter Lusty and James Roden...
, Jazzgroove Records, room40, Vitamin Records, Future Classic, Shogun Distribution and Birdland Records.
Jagermeister AIR Charts
In 2000, AIR inaugurated the AIR ChartsAIR Charts
The AIR Charts are the official sales charts for Australian independent music released by Australian owned, independent record labels. Presented by AIR, the Australian Independent Record Labels Association, the charts are calculated according to official sales figures provided by the ARIA Charts,...
which track the sales of Australia's highest selling independent artists. The top 20 independent singles and albums are published on a weekly basis but genre charts for Jazz, Hip Hop, Blues and Roots, Hard Rock/Punk, Country are published once a month. The AIR Charts differ from the ARIA Charts
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
because they focus on Australian artists represented only by Australian independent labels.
Titles are eligible to be included in the AIR Charts
AIR Charts
The AIR Charts are the official sales charts for Australian independent music released by Australian owned, independent record labels. Presented by AIR, the Australian Independent Record Labels Association, the charts are calculated according to official sales figures provided by the ARIA Charts,...
if they are Australian, the title is released on an independent label / or, self released and where it is either distributed through an independent distributor or where an independent label uses the services of a major or its subsidiary to distribute the title.
AIR Awards
The annual AIR Awards are run in conjunction with the AIR Charts and celebrate the year's highest charting independently released Australian singles and albums.The selection of the 10 finalists for each category is based upon a total score calculated across all 20 AIR independent chart positions over that year. The winner is voted for by a judging panel consisting of approximately 350 members of the retail and media sectors of the Australian independent music industry.
The AIR Awards recognise Australian 100% Independent artists (100% Independent in this context refers to releases whose masters are owned independently of major labels and are also distributed independently by an Australian owned distributor).
2006 Winners
- Best Performing Independent Album
Hilltop HoodsHilltop HoodsThe Hilltop Hoods are an ARIA Award winning Australian hip hop group, from Adelaide, South Australia. Their members are MCs Suffa , MC Pressure , DJ Debris and formerly DJ Next. They have been at the centre of the Australian hip hop scene for the better part of two decades, originally forming back...
- The Hard RoadThe Hard RoadThe Hard Road is a 2006 release by Australian hip hop group, the Hilltop Hoods from Adelaide, South Australia. It was released on 1 April 2006 by Obese Records. It debuted at #1 on the Australia ARIA Albums Chart, unprecedented for an independent label release and for an Australian hip hop group.... - Best Performing Independent Single/EP
Blue King BrownBlue King BrownBlue King Brown are a Melbourne-based, Australian urban roots band. They have released a self-titled EP and a full length album, Stand Up . They released their follow-up Worldwize Part 1 - North & South on 20 August 2010...
- Blue King Brown - Best Independent Artist
Hilltop Hoods - Best New Independent Artist
GotyeGotyeWouter "Wally" De Backer , also known professionally by his stage name Gotye , is a Belgian-Australian multi-instrumental musician and singer-songwriter. He has released three studio albums independently and one remix album featuring remixes of tracks from his first two albums...
2007 Winners
- Best Independent Album
John Butler TrioJohn Butler TrioThe John Butler Trio are an eclectic roots and jam band from Australia led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler. They formed in Fremantle in 1998 with Jason McGann on drums and Gavin Shoesmith on bass guitar...
- Grand NationalGrand National (album)Grand National is the fourth album by the John Butler Trio. Somewhere between 22 to 25 songs were considered for this album, some created during or before Sunrise Over Sea.... - Best Independent Single/EP
Sneaky Sound SystemSneaky Sound SystemSneaky Sound System are a Sydney-based Australian dance music group consisting of guitarist and producer Black Angus and vocalist Connie Mitchell.-Early Years:...
- "UFO" - Best Independent Artist
Sneaky Sound System - Best New Independent Artist
British IndiaBritish India (band)British India are an Australian indie rock and garage rock band. The band formed in Melbourne in 2004, comprising lead vocalist, lyricist and guitarist Declan Melia, guitarist Nic Wilson, bassist Will Drummond and drummer Matt O'Gorman... - Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album
Midnight JuggernautsMidnight JuggernautsMidnight Juggernauts are a band from Melbourne, Australia composed of Andrew Szekeres, Vincent Vendetta, and Daniel Stricker. The band has been described as anything from 'prog dance meets cosmic film scores', to 'slasher-flick disco' to 'deadpan landscape',...
- DystopiaDystopia (Midnight Juggernauts album)Dystopia is the debut album from Australian electronic band Midnight Juggernauts. It debuted and peaked at #21 on the ARIA Albums Chart.-Track listing:#"Intro" - 0:57#"Ending of an Era" - 4:51#"Into the Galaxy" - 4:54#"Shadows" - 4:17... - Best Independent Blues and Roots Album
C.W. Stoneking - King Hokum - Best Independent Jazz Album
The Ben Winkleman Trio - The Spanish Tinge - Best Independent Country Album
Gina Jeffries - Walks of Life
2008 Winners
- Best Independent Album
Geoffrey Gurrumul YunupinguGeoffrey Gurrumul YunupinguGeoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is an Indigenous Australian musician, who sings in the Yolngu language.He was born in Galiwin'ku , off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia about 350 miles from Darwin. He is from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu and his mother from the Galpu nation...
- GurrumulGurrumulGurrumul is the debut album for Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. It is performed in a mixture of both Yolngu and English. It reached number three on the ARIA charts, won ARIA awards for Best World Music Album and Best Independent Release and won a Deadly for Album of the Year... - Best Independent Single/EP
The Getaway PlanThe Getaway PlanThe Getaway Plan are an Australian alternative rock band from Melbourne, Victoria, formed in 2004. The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Matthew Wright, guitarist Clint Splattering, bassist Dave Anderson and drummer Aaron Barnett....
- Where the City Meets the SeaWhere the City Meets the Sea"Where The City Meets The Sea" is the lead single from the Australian rock band The Getaway Plan's debut album Other Voices, Other Rooms. It reached #28 on the ARIA chart.-Track listing:CD single# Where The City Meets The Sea - 3:36# The Flood - 3:49... - Best Independent Artist
The Herd - Best New Independent Artist
Geoffrey Gurrumul YunupinguGeoffrey Gurrumul YunupinguGeoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is an Indigenous Australian musician, who sings in the Yolngu language.He was born in Galiwin'ku , off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia about 350 miles from Darwin. He is from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu and his mother from the Galpu nation... - Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album
The Herd - SummerlandSummerland (album)Summerland is the fourth album by Australian hip hop band The Herd and was released on 24 May 2008. The Herd announced its new album in March 2008, in early May of that year the first single from the album, "The King is Dead", received radio airplay, it makes reference to Australia's change in... - Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Album
Eddy Current Suppression RingEddy Current Suppression RingEddy Current Suppression Ring is a Melbourne-based Australian rock group which rose to prominence in 2008.-Biography:The band formed in 2003 when several band members started jamming at the Christmas party at a vinyl pressing plant where they worked. They encouraged now-lead singer Brendan...
- Primary Colours - Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album
Peret Mako - The Devil is in the Detail - Best Independent Blues and Roots Album
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Gurrumul - Best Independent Jazz Album
Tina Harrod - Work Songs - Best Independent Country Album
Bec Willis - Bec Willis
2009 Winners
- Best Independent Album
The DronesThe DronesThe Drones are an Australian rock group who rose to prominence during the early 2000s. They are influenced by a variety of bands and soloists including Neil Young, The Velvet Underground, Bad Brains, Suicide, Green on Red, The Birthday Party, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Nina Simone.- The Sound...
- HavilahHavilah (album)Havilah is the fifth studio album by Australian band The Drones, released in September 2008 and February 2009 by ATP Recordings. The title of the album is a biblical reference to a Shangri-La-esque town with an abundance of gold. It is also the name of a valley near where the album was recorded... - Best Independent Single/EP
Philadelphia Grand JuryPhiladelphia Grand JuryPhiladelphia Grand Jury were an Australian trio from Sydney, New South Wales. The bands final lineup featured of Joel "MC Bad Genius" Beeson on bass, keyboard and guitar, Simon "Berkfinger" Berckelman on vocals and guitar and Susanna "Susie Dreamboat" Patten on drums...
- Going To The Casino - Best Independent Artist
The Drones - Breakthrough Independent Artist
Bertie BlackmanBertie BlackmanBertie Blackman is an Independent Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist. She rose to fame with her debut album in 2004, entitled 'Headway' which came after years of prolific performances around Sydney's Inner city venues, where she developed a dedicated following.-Early life and... - Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album
PezPez (musician)Pez is a Hip-hop MC from Melbourne, Australia. He attended Kew High School in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. His debut album, A Mind Of My Own peaked at #19 on the ARIA Urban album charts.-Biography:...
- A Mind Of My Own - Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Album
The Nation BlueThe Nation BlueThe Nation Blue is a rock band formed in Tasmania and based in Melbourne, Victoria, noted for their intense live performances and bleak subject matter. They have toured nationally in Australia and internationally in Brazil, America and Japan and have supported Helmet and Foo Fighters...
- Rising Waters - Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album
Art vs. ScienceArt vs. ScienceArt vs. Science are a three-piece dance band from Sydney, Australia formed early in 2008. The group consists of Jim Finn on vocals and keyboards; Dan McNamee on vocals, guitars and keyboards; and Dan Williams on drums and vocals.In 2010, the group toured the United Kingdom in support of La Roux...
- Art vs. Science - Best Independent Blues and Roots Album
C.W. Stoneking - Jungle Blues - Best Independent Jazz Album
The World According To James - Lingua Franca - Best Independent Country Album
Adam BrandAdam BrandAdam Brand is an Australian musician who sings country music. Active since 1997, he has released seven studio albums and thirteen singles. His first three albums are all certified platinum in Australia...
- Hell of a Ride
2010 Winners
- Most Popular Independent Artist
John Butler TrioJohn Butler TrioThe John Butler Trio are an eclectic roots and jam band from Australia led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler. They formed in Fremantle in 1998 with Jason McGann on drums and Gavin Shoesmith on bass guitar... - Best Independent Artist
Dan SultanDan SultanDan Sultan is an Australian singer and songwriter. Sultan plays what he calls country soul rock ‘n’ roll.-Biography:Daniel Leo Sultan was born in 1983 and grew up in Williamstown, Melbourne. His father was Irish and his mother, Roslyn Sultan, was Aboriginal from the Arrernte and Gurindji people... - Breakthrough Independent Artist
Cloud ControlCloud ControlCloud Control are an alternative rock band originating from the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia. The band is currently signed to the Australian label Ivy League Records, in which they released their debut album Bliss Release, and to Infectious Music in the UK/Europe... - Best Independent Album
Cloud Control - Bliss ReleaseBliss Release-Reviews:The Age - "The buzz around Cloud Control is entirely warranted - expect big things from this four-piece’’ The Sydney Morning Herald - "Let’s be frank, a bloody impressive album"... - Best Independent Single/EP
Little RedLittle RedLittle Red is a rock band from Melbourne, Australia consisting of Adrian Beltrame , Dominic Byrne , Quang Dinh , Tom Hartney and Taka Honda .-Biography:...
- Rock It - Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album
Urthboy - SpitshineSpitshineSpitshine is the third studio album by Australian hip hop artist and member of The Herd, Urthboy. It was released on 28 August 2009.- Overview :... - Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Album
Parkway Drive - Deep Blue - Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album
Midnight JuggernautsMidnight JuggernautsMidnight Juggernauts are a band from Melbourne, Australia composed of Andrew Szekeres, Vincent Vendetta, and Daniel Stricker. The band has been described as anything from 'prog dance meets cosmic film scores', to 'slasher-flick disco' to 'deadpan landscape',...
- The Crystal AxisThe Crystal AxisThe Crystal Axis is the second album from Australian electronic band Midnight Juggernauts. It was released on May 28, 2010. The album was the feature album on Triple J for the week of 24 to 30 May.... - Best Independent Blues and Roots Album
Dan Sultan - Get Out While You Can - Best Independent Jazz Album
Stu Hunter - The Gathering - Best Independent Country Album
Kasey ChambersKasey ChambersKasey Chambers is an Australian country singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of steel guitar player Bill Chambers, and the sister of musician and producer Nash Chambers.-Solo success:...
, Poppa Bill and the Hillbillies - Lost Music Blues
Worldwide Independent Networks
AIR is a member of WIN (Worldwide Independent Networks) which is a coalition of independent music bodies from countries throughout the world. Other member organisations of WIN include A2IM (USA), ABMI (Brazil), ADISQADISQ
The ADISQ is a nonprofit organization with the mission to help the music industry in Quebec. It was created in 1978....
(Canada), AIM
Association of Independent Music
The Association of Independent Music is a non-profit trade body established in 1998 by UK independent record labels to represent the independent record sector, which constitutes approximately 25% of the UK market....
(UK), AIRCO (South Africa), Audiocoop (Italy), BIMA (Belgium), CIRPA (Canada), DUP (Denmark), ILCJ (Japan), IMI (India), IMNZ (New Zealand), Impala (Europe), INZIMA (Israel), Pronafon (Mexico), SOM (Sweden), UFI (Spain), UPFI (France), VTMOE (Austria) and VUT (Germany).
On 4 July 2008 AIR took part in WIN's Independents Day initiative, the first annual coordinated celebration of independent music across the world. As a major part of these celebrations AIR conducted an online poll for Australia's greatest independent records of all time.